As you all know the server admin has the ability to disable the "edit with Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer" option. This way un-authorized users can't mess up the master.templates, the web master worked so hard on. When you do try, you'll receive this error;

After clicking the OK button, nothing happens and you're not able to edit the site with SP Designer. I asked some of our IT-department guys which way to go to get access. Many laughed and Daniel told me it wasn't possible.

I wasn't very pleased with this result, so I tried to find a back door. Surely it would be possible to get acces to the enviroment with SP Designer. I really wanted to see if I could get in and "mess up" the master.template. Then one rainy afternoon I had a crazy theory, which worked! It was rather easy, looking back at it. I was very happy and told the guys at Zevenseas. They couldn't believe it. Surely the enabled "No SP Designer allowed" feature would stop any effort. 
Want to know how it works? Below you'll find the recipe I sent to Daniel and Mark (who have worked on the deployment of the SharePoint server and master.template).
 

"Hi boys,

Remember I told you it was possible to mess with the INHOLLAND intranet enviroment? Here's the recipe.

Ingredients
INHOLLAND TEAMsite
Microsoft example master pages
PC with internet connection

1. Download the Microsoft example master templates through the MS Download Center: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=7C05CA44-869A-463B-84D7-57B053711A96&displaylang=en and execute the MasterPage.exe file to extract the template files.
This file contains 4 styles: block, horizon, clarity and reverse (for this "re-enactment of events" I've chosen to use the block version). These are out-of-the-box templates from Microsoft, I haven't messed with them in any way.

2. Go to the TEAMsite you wish to "pimp" (for this re-enactment I've created a new Subsite and gave you two permissions as owners. It's located here: https://teamsite.[sitename].[domain]/[sub]/[sub2]/Edit/default.aspx). Now upload the files from the block template into the Master Page Gallery (which I filed under Master Page Gallery > Test).

3. Click your way trought the following folders; block > _catalogs > masterpage. Within the masterpage folder, the masterpages/aspx files are situated containing the block-style with different color versions. Choose the color of choice (I chose the green version) and pull the menu down. Now (obviously) chose the "Edit with Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer" option

4. SP Designer opens and the connection has been made with the TEAMsite. And because you've chosen an un-secured template, you are able to open and edit it

5. From the Folder List in the top left corner, browse through the following folders; _catalogs > masterpage > Test > block > _catalogs > masterpage. Double click it to show the contents of the folder. Here you'll find the block style masterpage templates again. Right click the block_lay4_green.master file and choose the "Set as Default Master Page" option. You will receive the warning that editing has been disabled by the website, but SP Designer will ignore this. Click OK and click on the next pop-up on Yes.

6. Succes! The master.page template has been changed. And now you will be able to start creating your own template to run within the INHOLLAND enviroment! "

This recipe isn't only for replacing the master.template and being able to customize it, you also get acces to the whole site. Now nothing stands in your way of re-building/editing your teamsite. It's brilliant!